Regurgitation of the Atrioventricular Valves after Corrective Surgery for Complete Atrioventricular Septal Defects - Comparison of Different Surgical Techniques

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Different surgical approaches have been used to repair complete atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD). Regurgitant atrioventricular valves (AV-valves) are common after surgery. We compared different surgical techniques with respect to long-term postoperative AV-valve regurgitation. METHODS: In 69 patients with complete AVSD, three different surgical techniques were applied: Single-patch, two-patch, and modified techniques. The left-sided AV-valve cleft was surgically closed in all patients. RESULTS: A comparison of the results of the different techniques showed no difference in the degree of AV-valve regurgitation on either the right or the left side. The average degree was mild on both sides. Only one patient needed reoperation for severe left-sided AV-valve regurgitation. CONCLUSION: The different surgical techniques used for the correction of AVSD do not have a major bearing on the degree of AV-valve regurgitation.